In an era where locally relevant and ethical evidence is essential for sustainable research impact, meaningful community engagement and involvement (CEI) is no longer an option; research is not something to be done to communities, but with and by them. This interactive workshop introduces practical approaches to CEI in research, focusing on co-design, ethical partnerships, and capacity enhancement for community stakeholders and researchers. Participants will explore participatory methods, communication strategies, and feedback mechanisms to enhance trust, relevance, and sustainability of studies, while building local research capacity for meaningful involvement across the research cycle.
Dr Edith Madela-Mntla is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Community-Oriented Primary Care (COPC) Research Unit in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Pretoria. She holds a Doctorate in Mental Health Nursing (D. Cur Psych), and an international Diploma for Clinical Trials and Ethics. A former African Regional Director for the International Council for Science, she has held senior and advisory roles at the National Department of Health, SAMRC and statutory entities. Her current research focuses on mental health integration, health systems strengthening, and the implementation of COPC.
See the recorded session, follow the link https://youtu.be/OvM4vOi9mFg